Morneau, Cuddyer agree to long-term deals with Twins  —  The Twins have agreed to long-term contracts with first baseman Justin Morneau and outfielder Michael Cuddyer.  —  The players appeared at TwinsFest at the Metrodome today at a team press conference to announce the signings …

Quiet winter for big spenders  —  The biggest surprise this offseason could be that the big spenders didn't spend.  —  After winning the World Series in 2004, the Red Sox revamped their rotation.  They let Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe leave as free agents and brought in Matt Clement and David Wells, a pair of signings that went bad.

Bedard resigned to being traded  —  O's pitcher says he would consider an extension  —  Ace pitcher Erik Bedard admitted today that he is resigned to being traded at some point this season, and he is disappointed that the Orioles haven't made a greater effort to sign him to a contract extension.

Knoblauch's Mother Expects Him to Cooperate  —  HOUSTON — The mother of former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch said Friday that she anticipated that her son will cooperate with a Congressional panel investigating steroids in baseball.  —  “I think I know my son well enough to know that he's …

Notes: Big Unit making progress  —  D-backs manager pleased after watching Johnson throw  —  PHOENIX — Bob Melvin has watched Randy Johnson play catch lately, and the D-backs manager likes what he's seen.  —  Johnson, who suffered a reherniation of a disc in his back last season and underwent …

Notes: Lo Duca suffers knee injury  —  Catcher hurts self during workout, undergoing MRI on Friday  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca suffered a right knee injury this week while working out in a New York gym, according to a baseball source.  —  Lo Duca will have an MRI …

Red Sox, Yankees GMs share friendship  —  WAYNE, N.J. (AP) — Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein share a friendship that belies the often acrimonious rivalry between their teams, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.  —  Don't worry, there's no chance that the high esteem …

Connection with fans natural to Hughes  —  Not distracted by trade talk, phenom shows fans personal side  —  Already at the Legends Field facility in Tampa, Fla., as one of the Yankees' earliest reportees to Spring Training, Phil Hughes had an open evening — and a dilemma.

Miller probably will retire  —  I talked on the telephone today with catcher Damian Miller, the La Crosse native who played the past three seasons for the Brewers.  Miller has not signed with another team and said he is leaning toward retirement at this point.

Man gets life for murder of baseball player  —  The man found guilty of the 2003 murder of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson was sentenced to life in prison Friday.  —  Reginald Riddle, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement in 2006.

CANO CASHING IN  —  AGREES TO 4-YEAR DEAL WITH YANKS  —  It's pay now or later for Robinson Cano.  The Yankees evidently have no problem with the first option, as they reached agreement yesterday on a four-year, $30 million contract with Cano, according to a source.

Blue Jays sign Rod Barajas  —  TORONTO — News flash: J.P. Ricciardi says he has a short memory.  —  “Sometimes you need that, especially in sports,” the Toronto Blue Jays' general manager said last night after the club signed free-agent catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year contract worth $1.2-million (all currency U.S.).